Raiders wrap up training camp portion of their preseason in Oxnard and will reconvene in Napa upon return

The Raiders ended the training camp portion of their preseason Wednesday, getting out of a two hour and 10 minute joint session with the Dallas Cowboys in relative good health and a sense of confidence about the direction they’re headed with the scene shifting to the club facility in Alameda.
With 15 days of practice sessions, 12 of them in pads, there has been only one serious injury. Tight end Nick Kasa, injured in Tuesday’s practice, has what coach Dennis Allen believes is an ACL tear, which would end his season.

There were a few more scuffles during the Wednesday sessions, but both Allen and general manager Reggie McKenzie thought the Raiders got enough out of it to do it again next year.

The joint sessions helped break the monotony of working against teammates every day.

“Number one, you’re tired of it. Number two, you’re trying to come together as a team and you don’t want to beat them up too bad. (Against Dallas) it doesn’t matter. We want to beat them up.’’

There is no score in practice, but it was clear the Raiders offense got the better of the Cowboys defense. Starting quarterback Matt Schaub was sharp both days.

Running backs Maurice Jones-Drew, Darren McFadden, Latavius Murray and Kory Sheets all had good gains. Allen believes the Raiders are forging an identity.
“I like the direction our run game is headed. I think we have to make some strides in the passing game in time,’’ Allen said. “There are a lot of new pieces in that part of our offense. I think defensively, I’ve been impressed with our ability to rush the passer. Those are some signs that this team’s getting better.

– Brian Leonhardt, who spent last season on the practice squad, has been taking first-team reps at tight end along with Mychal Rivera. With Asuberry and Kasa out, Allen said the Raiders could be looking to add another tight end to the roster.

– Cornerback Chimdi Chekwa was on the field to start practice after missing the previous day, but didn’t finish because of a sore knee. Wide receiver Juron Criner was out with what Allen called a “hip or groin’’ injury.

– Wide receiver Denarius Moore got caught a pair of touchdown passes during the team sessions. Wide receiver Greg Little had a conspicuous drop during drills on a perfect fade throw from Schaub in the end zone.

– The Raiders first team defense forced three incompletions and had an deflected interception by linebacker Nick Roach against Cowboys starting quarterback Tony Romo during one sequence.

— Middle linebacker Rolando McClain, looking noticeably thinner in the face than when he was a first-round bust with the Raiders, has impressed the Cowboys and could up being a starting middle lineabacker.

McClain said he still has a lot of friends on the team and interacted with Allen and defensive coordinator Jason Tarver.

“Me and D.A. said what’s up. JT and I walked off together,’’ McClain said. “It was two years ago, two-and-a-half years ago. It’s all in the past. I wish them nothing but the best.’’

– Practicing against the Raiders brought back memories for Cowboys coach Jason Garrett, who played for Dallas under Jimmy Johnson. The Raiders would have joint practices with the Cowboys in Austin, Texas.

“They had Ronnie Lott, Eric Dickerson the greatest players to ever play their position ended their careers with the Raiders,’’ Garrett said. “Quarterbacks were taking 11 step drops and throwing 42-yard comeback routes. It was like, `Where the hell are we right now?’ Jimmy Johnson would have smoke coming out of his years and Al Davis would be in his white sweat suit in 110 degrees.’’

No way. Be in the right place and make a play on the ball, no matter if it’s Ryan Leaf throwing or Peyton Manning. Fundamentals are fundamentals.

Elliot

I disagree and I understand his stats after the 7th inning. Still he got moss and Donaldson pitches to hit

FourMoreYears

Bold prediction time: Andrew Luck makes his first appearance in the Super Bowl this year.

Back-N-Black

I watched frame by frame slo mo of the o-line on each of Schaub’s possessions and checked out if Schaub was getting the ball off at the top of his drop and things like that, but didn’t watch the defense. 1st Vikings drive told me enough.

Elliot

I would be happy to see branch make a good decision for once in his life

JLofty

Hey if any of you guys missed the article on James Jones coming back to his (homeless) roots in the Bay you should read it. Link in the box on right above.

Might restore some faith in humanity lost by reading comments in here. Or Roger Goodell still being on planet earth earning $10mil/yr….

http://cosmicdanceband.com/ SilverandBlack666

Softball and beer?

JLofty

Not if you believe their coach is the 33rd ranked HC in the league. Yes even behind the questionable Dennis Allen….

Back-N-Black

not that bold.

FourMoreYears

It’s not bold to pick the best team in the AFC after the first preseason game?

Howard Benner

Certainly you’re not blaming Olawale for Carr’s pick. . .he was going full bore & Carr, who was merely attempting a long handoff fired the ball high. . .Olawale didn’t have a chance. . .

I agree with Brown, Little & King. . .Watson will calm down; will have to realize he can’t go all Tazmanian Devil for the entire season. . .composure. . .Branch was NOT the culprit on the long pass to the TE; Mack was going through growing pains. . .he’ll get it figured out. . .the Raiders have put a lot on his plate. . .Rivera will improve. . the Raiders do need much more from Leonhardt. . .

You should add Matt Schaub to that list. . .oh, & the entire punt coverage team was atrocious. . .

Back-N-Black

lol… that part is bold. Just meant that I don’t think its too far out there to see the Colts as a Super Bowl contender

*******************************************
Deuces, hardly knew the two of you anways.

Return

Forgot about Flacco and Romo. Agreed

Cam is 1st tier. Talk about carrying a team. He has otherworldly numbers considering what he had to work with.

ForHundred8

Cheers to that.

https://twitter.com/MimiPeepeechimi Just Fire Baby

I think Cam had a better team around him then any of those other 1st tier guys you listed.
I would put him in 2nd tier, on the backend. Has to win when it counts, hasn’t done so yet.

disqus_yeZNegncsV

With his infectious, large smile, moving his head back and forth like Steve Wonder, Magic said when his son “came out”, “We always knew he was a kid would do his own thaaaang.”
You will notice one important personality trait in father and son: extroversion and a strong proclivity toward showmanship and flamboyance.

BigBenRexor

We’ve already addressed Reggie signing bums off the street.

ForHundred8

The San Jose native! I’ll be cheering for the guy.

BigBenRexor

Marshall took one for the team, he protected Darren from the McFadden Curse.